African American people, places and events from the history of Omaha, Nebraska.
A social force, culture builder, educational center and powerful advocacy base, the Negro YWCA was vital to African Americans advancement in Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Negro Women’s Christian Association of Omaha
A hallowed history unlike any other organization in the state, the Urban League of Nebraska is committed to, “…lead Nebraska in closing the social economic gap in the African American, other emerging ethnic communities and disadvantaged families in the achievement … Continue reading A History of Omaha’s Urban League
This is a history of one of North Omaha’s most important historical landmarks, The Sherman apartments on North 16th Street. Continue reading A History of The Sherman Apartments
This is Framed Chapter 24 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 24 by Michael Richardson
Lake School was a fixture in the neighborhood for a century. This is its history… Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Lake School
This is Chapter 24 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 23 by Michael Richardson
North Omaha’s Provident Hospital was an attempt to challenge the city’s racism. What happened? Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Provident Hospital
The Midwest Athletic Club, or MAC, was formed in 1946 in North Omaha by and for the African American community. Continue reading A History of the Midwest Athletic Club
This is a tour of various sites associated with the Civil Rights movement in Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A Tour of the Omaha Civil Rights Movement
This is an overview of the life of Mildred Brown, influential publisher of the Omaha Star and businesswoman, maven and community hero. Continue reading A Biography of Mildred Brown by Jody Lovallo
This is a history of the Omaha NAACP Youth Council, which started in 1936 and continues today! Continue reading A History of the Omaha NAACP Youth Council
The Blue Lion is one of North O’s most iconic buildings, holding business, services and opportunities for a century! Continue reading A History of the Blue Lion Center
In this chapter, Mondo we Langa is quoted saying “…they simply could not let an African man who called police “pigs” get away with that.” Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 22 by Michael Richardson
This is a list of African American firsts in Omaha. Continue reading A History of African American Firsts in Omaha
This chapter of FRAMED by Michael Richardson focuses on a lie told on the court stand… Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 21 by Michael Richardson
This is a timeline of a 1950s-era civil rights group in Omaha called the DePorres Club. Continue reading A Timeline of the Omaha DePorres Club
Many of Kountze Place’s finest homes are gone now, demolished by indifferent landowners and city planners who are blind to the value of the neighborhood. One of these homes stood at 2214 Wirt Street, and it was clearly one of … Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s McLain Mansion
The trial testimony of Duane and Donald Peak focuses on them laughing at the death… Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 20 by Michael Richardson
The Near North Side YMCA was a staple of the community for more than 50 years. Here’s the story… Continue reading A History of the Near North YMCA in North Omaha
There were and are many segregated schools in Omaha, and this is an account of their history. Continue reading A History of Segregated Schools in Omaha, Nebraska
The story of a historic neighborhood in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of the Collier Place Neighborhood
In chapter 19 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, the murder trial begins… Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 19 by Michael Richardson
This is a history of an iconic North Omaha restaurant that comedian Redd Foxx frequented when in town. Continue reading A History of Skeet’s in North Omaha
This is a history of the Kellom Heights neighborhood, including the pioneer era, the school and its redevelopment. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Kellom Heights Neighborhood
This is a history of the Charles B. Washington North Branch of the Omaha Public Library. Continue reading A History of the Public Library in North Omaha
This is a history of King Solomon’s Mines, a nightclub open at 2425 Ames Avenue in North Omaha from 1970-1972. Continue reading A History of King Solomon’s Mines in North Omaha
In Chapter 18 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, the story continues unfolding. Read this original true story thriller from North Omaha today! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 18 by Michael Richardson
This is chapter 17 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. It introduces the Congressional action against the Omaha Two, and more. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 17 by Michael Richardson
These are the top 10 most important architectural accomplishments in North Omaha today. Continue reading Top 10 North Omaha Architectural Gems
This is FRAMED Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson. In this installment, arrests are made and fingers are pointed – again. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 16 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 15 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, covering the day Ed Poindexter was arrested. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 15 by Michael Richardson
Presented in Chapter 14 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson is a smoking gun! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 14 by Michael Richardson
In Michael Richardson’s book FRAMED, Chapter 13 exposes detail galore. This chapter shows how! Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 13 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 12 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. In it, the author explores the role of Duane Peak and the FBI in the resulting coverup. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 12 by Michael Richardson
FRAMED, Chapter 11 was written by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 11 by Michael Richardson
“Angry Policemen Seek Deadly House Bomber,” screamed the Omaha World-Herald. 25 people in North Omaha were arrested. Here’s the actual list of suspects compiled by the Omaha Police Department. Discover what happened on the day patrolman Larry Minard, Sr. was killed. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 10 by Michael Richardson
Adam’s Note: This is Chapter 9 in the series on NorthOmahaHistory.com called Framed: J. Edgar Hoover, COINTELPRO and the Omaha Two Story. It was written by Michael Richardson. Learn more here. “I will never ever forgive the Black Panther Party for … Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 9 by Michael Richardson
This is FRAMED Chapter 8 by Michael Richardson, exposing the history of the FBI framing of the Omaha Two. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 8 by Michael Richardson
Soul food, community building and culture held sway for 35+ years at Carter’s Cafe. This article includes a biography of Lucy Carter (1901-1983). Continue reading A History of Carter’s Cafe
This is Chapter 7 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson, detailing the blatant framing of Mondo we Langa and Ed Pointdexter in the years before 1971. Continue reading “FRAMED”: Chapter 7 by Michael Richardson
Chapter 6 of FRAMED! by Michael Richardson includes suspense, intrigue and conspiracy… Continue reading “FRAMED!” Chapter 6 by Michael Richardson
This is Chapter 5 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 5 by Michael Richardson
The fourth chapter of FRAMED by Michael Richardson continues detailing the FBI cover-up of Black Panthers in Omaha. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 4 by Michael Richardson
Chapter 3 of FRAMED by Michael Richardson introduces Mondo we Langa, formerly David Rice. Continue reading “FRAMED” Chapter 3 by Michael Richardson
Dr. Eugene Skinner was Omaha Public Schools’ first Black principal. This is his story. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Eugene Skinner
This is Framed, Chapter 2 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading FRAMED: Chapter 2 by Michael Richardson
This is Framed, Chapter 1 by Michael Richardson. Continue reading “Framed” Chapter 1 by Michael Richardson
This is a summary of chapters in the Framed series by Michael Richardson for NorthOmahaHistory.com Continue reading “Framed” Series Summary by Michael Richardson
Preface to “Framed,” a series by Michael Richardson for NorthOmahaHistory.com Continue reading FRAMED: A Series about the Omaha Two by Michael Richardson
The Stage II Lounge offers a lively grown-up place to relax and socialize. Here’s a short history of this North Omaha institution. Continue reading History of The Stage II Lounge
The Live Wire Cafe succeeded in a place during a time when other businesses were fleeing. Here’s the history of this North Omaha business. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Live Wire Cafe
This is a book review of the autobiography of North Omaha’s Preston Love. Continue reading NORTH O BOOK REVIEW: “A Thousand Honey Creeks Later: A Life in Music from Basie to Motown” by Preston Love, Sr.
North Omaha’s Saint Benedict Catholic Church has been a bastion of hope for the Near North Side for almost a century. Here’s their story. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Parish
Malcolm X Memorial Park sits in the heart of North Omaha’s Kountze Place. Discover why you don’t hear about it anymore. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Kountze Park, Once Called Malcolm X Park
The North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys’ Club was the cradle of youth engagement for a generation of young men. This is a history of the facility. Continue reading A History of the North Omaha Gene Eppley Boys Club
Opened in 1952, the Spencer Projects in North Omaha have a long, complex history of neglect, crime and community building. Continue reading A History of the Spencer Street Projects
Omaha’s tradition of Black churches started less than a decade after the founding of the city in 1865. With de facto segregation the norm in the city by then, African Americans were denied seats in white churches. Not to be without a spiritual home, the city’s pioneer Blacks founded their own places of worship. This is an introduction to Omaha’s historic Black churches. Continue reading A History of Black Churches in Omaha
North Omaha’s Martha T. Smith Home for the Aged opened in 1913 as the Colored Old Folks Home. This is the history… Continue reading A History of the Colored Old Folks Home in North Omaha
A leader among the bedrock institutions of North Omaha is Zion Baptist Church. One of the oldest congregations in Omaha, it was founded in 1884 and became the largest Black church in Omaha by 1900. It’s landmark building at 2215 Grant Street was designed by North Omaha native “Cap” Clarence Wigington, and its mission is still distinctly relevant more than 125 years after it was founded. Continue reading History of Zion Baptist Church in North Omaha
(Olympia, WA: December 1, 2016) The final book of Adam Fletcher Sasse’s series, North Omaha History: Volume Three, is now available from CommonAction Publishing. In the third book of the North Omaha History Series, Adam Fletcher Sasse reveals a lot of the hidden, denied … Continue reading Dynamic Past, Hope-filled Future: North Omaha History, Volume Three Now On Sale!
The home at 2060 Florence Boulevard has a reputation as a mansion for the social elite; an apartment house; a brothel, a hotel and as apartments again. Here is a history of North Omaha’s Broadview Hotel. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Burkenroad House aka Broadview Hotel aka Trimble Castle
This is a history of an individual and the short-lived organization she created. It’s a story about the power, purpose and potential of young people in North Omaha, and the constant struggle between the City of Omaha and the Black community. This is a history of Beverly Blackburn (1937-1973) and the JFK Rec Center. Continue reading A Biography of Beverly Blackburn and a History of the JFK Rec Center
On December 17, 1963, LOOK magazine included a story about segregation in Omaha. Following is a section of the article; there is a link to a PDF of the story under “Related Articles” that follows. THE NEGRO FACES NORTH OMAHA, NEBRASKA: THE NEW … Continue reading “The Negro Faces North. Omaha, Nebraska: The New Mood Shocks the City” by Sam Castan for LOOK magazine
In the aftermath of the 1960s riots that ravaged the community, a group of African American investors from North Omaha rallied to invest in technology, and for many, to invest in their home neighborhood. Pulling off a coup, for almost a decade, North Omaha was home to Nebraska’s first radio station and a former bastion of white middle class American culture. Except now it was the home of the city’s Black pride, empowerment and culture. Continue reading A History of KOWH, North Omaha’s Radio Station
Omaha, Nebraska, was founded on white supremacy. Since then, both formal and informal forces throughout the city have worked continuously to impose, maintain and expand white supremacy throughout the city, state and nation. The stories of Mondo we Langa and Ed Poindexter are examples of what that looks like. Understood in the context of North Omaha history, it is easy to see they aren’t the only examples; however, they are among the most powerful. Continue reading A History of the Case of Rice and Poindexter in North Omaha
This is a timeline of people from the history of North Omaha. They include people from political, legal, religious, medical, and other professions who transformed the community in countless ways. There are also creative leaders, sports figures, and others, too. Continue reading People from North Omaha History
In a time of mobland gangsters, illegal booze, dirty gambling halls and open prostitution, several African Americans rose high enough in Omaha’s criminal underworld to become the crime lords of North Omaha. Continue reading A History of Early 20th Century Crime Bosses in North Omaha
Starting in 1905, the Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks of the World, also called the black Elks, met in North Omaha. They were determined to help foster positive social connections, build community and foster growth within Omaha’s African American community. Almost 100 years later, it keeps going. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Elks Hall and Iroquois Lodge 92
North Omaha is screaming full of history, and the new 24th and Lake Historic District is a tremendous example of how that’s so. After its first developments in the 1870s, this intersection evolved to become a hotbed of the African American community; as well as the heart of the Jewish community; a farm supply area; and much, much more. In 2016, 38 buildings were included in a new listing on the National Register of Historic Places. This article is an introduction to the powerful, poignant past of a large jewel in North Omaha’s historical crown. Continue reading A History of the 24th and Lake Historic District in North Omaha
North Omaha’s African American culture has grown and changed dramatically since its founding in 1854. One of the main drivers of the culture for more than a century has been the Black media. From the time Omaha’s first Black newspaper was published in 1889 through Shanelle Williams’ continued use of Facebook, Twitter and other social media today to build the African American community in Omaha, Black media has continued to transform the North Omaha community and the city at large. Continue reading A History of African American Newspapers in Omaha
Almost a decade ago, I stumbled across stories of a railroad that looped around Omaha. Different sources told crazy realities, including conflicting ownership, court cases, and the rise and fall of several neighborhoods in North Omaha. I was fascinated that I saw this track all the time when I was growing up, but I never knew its story, so I started researching. I read articles and pamphlets, books and maps. After that, I started an article on Wikipedia to share what I’d found. Well, as you know, that’s never enough for me. With some recent encouragement from John Peterson, a fine Omaha history writer, I am going to expand here on what I’ve researched and learned about the Belt Line Railway in North Omaha. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Belt Line Railway
The Long School neighborhood is located in North Omaha from Hamilton Street on the south to Erskine on the North; North 24th on the east and the North Freeway on the west, and it has a total of 30 blocks. Houses started getting built in the neighborhood as early as the 1860s. However, it wasn’t until Long School was built that things really got underway. This is a history of the neighborhood. Continue reading A History of North Omaha’s Long School Neighborhood
African Americans stepped up to create community for themselves. Since Blacks weren’t allowed to move away from the Near North Side neighborhood, that’s where the community arose. Black churches, restaurants, clothing stores, and entertainment venues filled the North 24th Street strip from Cuming north to Lothrop Streets, and along Lake Street too. Continue reading History of the Carnation Ballroom in North Omaha
Mobs have terrorized Omaha since the city was founded in 1854. Defined as “the use of violence and intimidation in the pursuit of political aims,” terrorism was been the weapon of Omaha’s mobs from the beginning. Early on, they were seemingly concerned with horse thieves, claim jumping and break-ins. In more recent times, mobs attacked people in Omaha because of their race and ethnicities. 50 years ago, mobs lashed out at businesses. Notably, there haven’t been any mob terror trials, monuments, or other acknowledgments of the acts of the masses in Omaha throughout its 160+ years of existence. Continue reading A History of Mob Violence in Omaha
Adam’s note: I’m a little hesitant to share this story, but I’m going to. Bad things happen in communities, and this story is part of North Omaha’s history. I’ve removed family names out of respect for the families involved. In … Continue reading The History of An Unsolved Murder in North Omaha
For more than 15 years, the Environmental Protection Agency has been fighting lead poisoning in North Omaha as part of a citywide environmental cleanup focused on the 27-square-miles east of 72nd Street. Continue reading History of Lead Poisoning in North Omaha
More than 65 years ago, a newspaper was launched to serve Omaha’s African American community. Coming from a legacy of several Black newspapers before it, the paper was launched by the visionary Mildred Brown and her husband Ed Gilbert. Losing its direct competitors within a decade, The Omaha Star became the city’s Civil Rights media champion, refusing to print negative news and constantly focusing on keeping it positive. The original banner was “Joy and Happiness”, and the only told good news. Continue reading History of the Omaha Star
The Ohio Fish Market was a North Omaha institution for 25 years. Discover the history of this iconic restaurant and store… Continue reading A History of the Ohio Fish Market in North Omaha
In its first 75 years, North Omaha was home to no fewer than four Jewish synagogues, six Catholic parishes and 50 Protestant congregations. These churches reflected the community’s diversity, including ethnic churches where only Italian, German, Norwegian, Danish and other languages were spoke. Within 25 years of Omaha’s founding, there were also several Black churches in the neighborhood north of downtown. Following is a history of churches in North Omaha. Continue reading History of Churches in North Omaha
This story begins with the death. On November 2nd, 1989, Mildred Brown passed away. Easily the mother of North Omaha pride, Mildred co-founded The Omaha Star in the late 1930s and ran it by herself for almost 50 years. She promoted the community mercilessly, building pride, power and purpose through her paper, and her death was a massive loss to everyone in North Omaha, especially the African American community. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Dr. Marguerita Washington
This is a history of Club Harlem, a vibrant center of the North Omaha jazz scene in the 1940s. Continue reading A History of Club Harlem In North Omaha
Dan Desdunes was The Man. The leader of Omaha’s powerhouse music scene for more than 20 years, here’s his story… Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Dan Desdunes
This is a history of Black-owned and operated hotels for African American customers in Omaha, Nebraska by Adam Fletcher Sasse for NorthOmahaHistory.com. Continue reading A History of Black Hotels in Omaha
Race and racism has dominated Omaha has history of movement, organizing and activism for civil rights for African Americans and others that goes almost back to the founding of the city. Following is a timeline of race and racism in North Omaha. Continue reading A Timeline of Racism in Omaha
Omaha’s Colored Commercial Club was an business referral, employment agency, and community building org for almost a decade. This is it’s history… Continue reading History of the Omaha Colored Commercial Club
As far as I’m concerned, the history of Omaha’s Near North Side neighborhood is the richest in all of Omaha. It has been home to working class families, poor people, and the wealthy; northern Europeans, African Americans, and eastern Europeans; Lutherans and Catholics, Jews and Black Muslims; slums, family homes, and mansions; looked like a pioneer town, had country gentleman farms, been a suburb, and had slums; professional offices, warehouses, manufacturing plants, local storefronts, printing presses, training centers, supermarkets and pop-up shops; giant churches and synagogues, and tiny storefront temples and more. So much has happened here, and clearly its story is still being written… Continue reading A History of the Near North Side Neighborhood in North Omaha
This is a biography of Nebraska’s first African American legislator, Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts. He served from 1893 to 1897. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s Dr. Matthew O. Ricketts
While it has absolutely no active movie theaters today, the North Omaha community has been home to at least 20 (!) movie theaters over the last century. This is a short history of those theaters. Its really incomplete, as information has been hard for me to find. Continue reading A History of Theatres and Movie Theaters in North Omaha
This is a history of the social clubs in North Omaha from the 1860s through present times. Continue reading History of Social Clubs and Social Halls in North Omaha
“This town is sick… I’m not speaking of open sores, either — nothing as simple as the ghetto on the ‘Near North Side,’ where all but a handful of 30,000 Omaha Negroes live. No, our sickness is in the bloodstream … Continue reading A History of the Citizens Coordinating Committee for Civil Liberties, or 4CL, in Omaha
While African Americans have known about police racism for more than a century, white people across the US are beginning to acknowledge the effects of legalized harassment, white privilege, systematic discrimination, the school-to-prison pipeline and other forms of white supremacy that constantly plunder communities and the entire nation of its potential, power and purpose. With a vibrant, vital, and obvious story, Vivian Strong must be remembered today. Continue reading A History of the June 1969 Riot in North Omaha
The history of North Omaha includes redlining starting during the 1920s, and being made illegal in the 1960s. This article explores that history, including the context in which it happened and some of the outcomes. Continue reading A History of Redlining in Omaha
North Omaha’s Ernie Chambers has been a enlightened, phenomenal and powerful political representative and social leader over the last 40 years. His politics are straight-forward, obvious and spot-on, every single time. He confronts white privilege constantly, challenges injustice regularly and … Continue reading A Video Biography of North Omaha’s Ernie Chambers
This is a history of African American politics in Omaha beginning in the post-Civil War era, evolving through various struggles for rights and representation. Continue reading A History of African American Politics in North Omaha
This is a history of streetcars in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of Streetcars in North Omaha
Between 1870 and the 1950s, A LOT happened in North Omaha. This is a summary of the people, events, organizations and more that made history… Continue reading A History of North Omaha, Part 2: 1885-1945
The place where I grew up, Omaha’s Miller Park neighborhood, rushes through my imagination a lot. I want to see it acknowledged, appreciated and accentuated every day. This article is my acknowledgment of the past and contribution to the future. Continue reading A History of the Miller Park Neighborhood
Omaha has many histories that need to be told. Places, people and events that happened over the last 160 years have been forgotten, neglected or repressed, and that’s what I am most interested in. The story of Will Brown is one such story. It represents the ugly, hateful history of this city that has driven a lot of today’s violence, ignorance and pain that has prevented North Omaha from moving forward. Here is a powerful video featuring the lynching of Will Brown, and I highly recommend you watch the entirety of it. There is graphic content. You Might Like… … Continue reading A History of the 1919 Lynching and Riot in Omaha
A guest article by Karen Clopton explores the history of the Prince Hall Masons and their century-old Druid Hall in North Omaha, Nebraska. Continue reading A History of the Druid Hall in North Omaha by Karen Clopton
This is a guest post by Linda Williams, an architecture student in Omaha. Continue reading A Biography of North Omaha’s ‘Cap’ Clarence Wigington by Linda Williams